With the approach of my 75th birthday, God gave me the desire to reflect and record 75 convictions from my 27,394 days. A lovely floral notebook with its blank pages invited me to embark on my journey.
Hallmarks of Convictions Declared at 75, Part 1, contains the first portion, convictions 1-38. As requested, I now open my journal and share the culmination of these personal entries. Please join me as we continue.
39. Receive feedback from your adult children humbly and openly. They likely have much to offer you.
40. Apply consistently Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding.”
41. Realize that true freedom only comes from a life released into the Hand of God. (Romans 12:1-2)
42. Learn the distinct difference between rest and relief. “My soul finds rest in God alone.” (Psalm 62:1,5)
43. Choose life. (Deuteronomy 30:15-20)
44. Prepare thyself to be surprised by the goodness of God.
45. Spend time alone with God every day. “These holy habits we started decades ago are the anchor of our lives.” -Todd
46. Lord, cause me to want what You want me to want. God is always right. “His way is good, acceptable, perfect.” (Romans 12:2)
47. Ask God to take care of it. Whatever it may be, “Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you.” (1Peter 5:7) “Hand over to Him all that breaks the stillness of thy spirit-and take from Him His own deep, sweet rest.” (The Shepherd Psalm)
48. In your oikos, make room for those outside of the faith.
49. Let this verse define your philosophy of life, “For me to live is Christ.” (Philippians 1:21)
50. Bring God into everything. In everything give thanks. Do not wait for the matter to be worked out, figured out, settled, or solved. The Bible says, “In everything give thanks.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
51. Have impeccable manners. (Life’s Little Instruction Book)
52. “Every day can be an exciting adventure for the Christian who knows the reality of being filled, controlled, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.” -Bright
53. Three words transform relationships: “I am sorry.”
54. Four additional words further transform relationships: “Will you please forgive me?”
55. Err in the right.
56. “Place faith to stand between you and problems, pain, fear, unwanted circumstances.” -Meyer
57. Keep company with godly people.
58. Use your home as a haven for hospitality.
59. Be a reader, have a voracious appetite for learning.
60. Do the work! Discipline and hard work are nonnegotiable for a life of meaning.
61. Suffering accompanies life; learn to accept its companionship. To live is to suffer.
62. Be a global citizen. Demonstrate respect for other nationalities, languages, and cultures.
63. Life is made up of choices, and choices make all the difference. You possess the power of choice. Attitudes, outlooks, perspectives, actions, conduct, and behaviors rest within your own personal will to choose.
64. Allow worship to capture your heart when God assigns you to the classroom of waiting.
65. Grow your marriage, relationally and romantically.
66. Be enriched by others from various stations in life — those older, younger, richer, poorer.
67. Jesus is so sweet, and pain is an incredible teacher.
68. Do the right thing, even when the right thing is the hard thing.
69. Love your grandchildren; let your children raise them.
70. “Inspire me with the knowledge that the issues of life are nor from without but from within.” -Matheson
71. So often, God does not want us to do more; He wants us to release more.
72. Don’t expect others to make life work for you. It is up to you, by the grace of God and in the power of the Holy Spirit, to live the quality of life you yearn to have.
73. 90% of life is attitude, the other 10% is perspective. -Thompson
74. Listen to James. “Be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to [become angry] react.”
75. Brokenness can be beautiful, sorrow can sanctify, and suffering can be sweet.
76. Always ask, “What does the Bible have to say about this?”
77. Treat peasant, pauper, politician, and prince with equal dignity.
78. Upgrade your quality of life and refuse to complain. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21)
79. Supernatural resources exist for those who love God and long for His will to be lived out in our lives. “God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, have an abundance for every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8) And, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3) WOW!
80. Determine to celebrate birthdays, remembering that life is a gift and a birthday is a privilege.
“But Father, our whole life until now has been one great proof of Thy care.” -Anonymous
Living With Eternal Intentionality®
“For me to live is Christ.” (Philippians 1:21)
As you noticed, my list includes more than 75 Hallmarks of Convictions. Somehow, the additional five convictions offer a pathway for me as I move toward 80.
Please take a moment and participate in your own amazing celebration. Consider the life God has given you and let the Words of Psalm 36 reverberate in your soul. “How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.”
What further Hallmarks of Declaration do you want to record?